44 - Politics and Policy in Obama's Washington - December 6, 2009

Obama presses case for financial regulation

President Obama praised the House for passing legislation tightening regulation of the nation's financial system and called on the Senate to do the same, while pressing the nation's big banks to ease their opposition to regulatory reform in his Saturday radio and Internet address.

By Michael A. Fletcher | December 12, 2009; 6:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (44)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Barack Obama
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Oprah's White House special: A preview

A lot has changed since the Obamas were kids -- so much that even the Easy Bake Oven has become easier. But the first couple's favorite toys as children -- a dollhouse for the first lady, a basketball and bicycle for the president -- have remained popular classics.

By Web Politics Editor | December 11, 2009; 3:23 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (58)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Washington Life, White House
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Gates finally sees sun, and troops, in Iraq

By Glenn Kessler KIRKUK, Iraq -- Under a brilliant sunny sky Friday, Defense Secretary...

By By Glenn Kessler | December 11, 2009; 11:18 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Cabinet, National Security, Security
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Is there an 'Obama Doctrine'?

By Ben Pershing President Obama went to Oslo to accept the Nobel Peace Prize, and...

By Ben Pershing | December 11, 2009; 8:38 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: The Rundown
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Inside the MedPAC meeting, where the tough cost calls get made

When Sarah Palin warned about "death panels," it was partly MedPAC that she had in mind.

By Web Politics Editor | December 10, 2009; 4:06 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Health Care
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Peace prize, war president

In Oslo, the politician who had sought the White House as the champion of the antiwar forces in his own party spoke as the commander in chief, offering a principled defense of waging just wars.

By Web Politics Editor | December 10, 2009; 2:38 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (66)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Dan Balz's Take
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What should Obama do with the Nobel money? Readers respond.

President Obama is in Oslo, Norway, picking up his $1.4 million Nobel Peace Prize, which he has pledged to donate to various charities. The Washington Post's In the Loop column ran a contest asking readers to suggest some serious -- and some not so serious -- charities he might want to help: Here are the top ten winners.

By washingtonpost.com editors | December 10, 2009; 8:47 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (62)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, In the Loop | Tags: nobel, obama
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War and peace in Oslo

By Ben Pershing When President Obama was sworn into office back in January, it's unlikely...

By Ben Pershing | December 10, 2009; 8:32 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: The Rundown
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Senate deal on public option draws praise from Obama

President Obama praised Senate Democrats on Wednesday for producing "a creative new framework" to provide coverage to uninsured Americans without relying on a government insurance option. The compromise plan was also generally well received among Democrats, although some concerns remain.

By Shailagh Murray | December 9, 2009; 3:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (157)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Health Care
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Gates, grounded in Afghanistan

What do you do on a rainy day in Kabul? Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates faced that question Wednesday when his carefully scheduled itinerary was upended by a persistently overcast day in Afghanistan.

By By Glenn Kessler | December 9, 2009; 10:54 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Cabinet, Cast of Characters, National Security, On the Plane
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Deal boosts prognosis for reform

By Ben Pershing The health-care reform roller-coaster has been through more ups and downs in...

By Ben Pershing | December 9, 2009; 8:27 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: The Rundown
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Black Caucus calls on Obama for more help for African Americans

By Perry Bacon Jr. The Congressional Black Caucus's chairwoman pointedly declared Tuesday night that President...

By Perry Bacon Jr. | December 8, 2009; 10:42 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (37)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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Obama vs. Obama on infrastructure spending

Five days ago, Obama said he was skeptical of big infrastructure investments. Today, he announced a new round of them.

By Web Politics Editor | December 8, 2009; 1:17 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Barack Obama
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White House releases open government plans

Federal agencies have four months to become more open, transparent and cooperative with the public's requests for information, according to new orders issued Tuesday by the White House. The changes deliver a big victory to open government groups have long sought to transform how the government presents and shares information with the general public.

By Web Politics Editor | December 8, 2009; 12:55 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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Gates on the draw-down and the search for bin Laden

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates sat down overnight with NBC's Matt Lauer on their flight to Afghanistan.

By Web Politics Editor | December 8, 2009; 11:29 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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McChrystal and Eikenberry on the Hill

Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal and Amb. Karl W. Eikenberry are appearing before the House Armed Services Committee this morning for the hearing "Afghanistan: The Results of the Strategic Review, Part II." Post defense reporter Greg Jaffe reports:

By Web Politics Editor | December 8, 2009; 11:07 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, National Security
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Another day, another reform compromise

By Ben Pershing The year -- and this session of Congress -- may be nearly...

By Ben Pershing | December 8, 2009; 8:31 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: The Rundown
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Salahi subpoenas will be considered Wednesday

The House Committee on Homeland security on Wednesday will consider resolutions to subpoena White House state dinner-party crashers Tareq and Micheale Salahi.

By Garance Franke-Ruta | December 7, 2009; 3:54 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (24)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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Obama and Gore to meet at White House

President Obama will meet with former vice president Al Gore this afternoon at the White House.

By Garance Franke-Ruta | December 7, 2009; 12:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (28)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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Obama administration will formally declare danger of carbon emissions

The Obama administration will formally declare Monday that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions pose a danger to the public's health and welfare, a move that lays the groundwork for an economy-wide carbon cap even if Congress fails to enact climate legislation, sources familiar with the process said.

By Web Politics Editor | December 7, 2009; 9:48 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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44: December 6, 2009 - December 12, 2009